The unemployment rate in the U.S. is currently at 5.0 percent, but revised projections from the Federal Reserve forecast that rate increasing. There are more than 7.6 million Americans who are currently unemployed and looking for work—approximately 800,000 more than were unemployed this time last year.
With an uncertain economy and employment outlook, your Better Business Bureau offers guidance to job seekers to help them understand the kinds of career counseling and job placement assistance available and ensure they enlist the aid of trustworthy organizations.
Public Employment Service (a.k.a. Job Service) is a federally-funded and state-operated program that is available in all 50 states. This service has nearly 1,700 offices providing free assistance to job hunters nationwide, and it manages America’s Job Bank which lists hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. For more information, visit www.jobbankinfo.org.
Temporary (Temp) Services place employees at companies which are looking for temporary help. Job seekers do not pay the temp service. Temporary placement can supplement workers’ income while they look for a more permanent job, and temporary positions can sometimes evolve into full-time positions.
Employment Agencies search for employees to fill permanent full or part-time positions. Typically, businesses pay for the service of the employment agency but, in some cases, the job hunter might be responsible for fees.
Executive or Career Counseling Services help job hunters evaluate their career path and provide guidance on resume writing, interview techniques and presentation. Career counselors may even help job seekers identify businesses at which to apply. Counseling services charge individuals as much as several thousand dollars for this service and typically don’t guarantee job placement.
BBB offers the following advice for job hunters when enlisting the help of an agency or counselor to find a new job:
• Always check out a job placement or career counseling organization with BBB first. Job hunters can start with bbb.org to view Reliability ReportsTM that show not only how many complaints a company has received, but also if they work to resolve disputes with clients.
• In some cases, state laws apply to job placement companies or career counselors so job seekers should make sure they’ve enlisted the help of a company that meets all licensing requirements. BBB also recommends visiting the National Board for Certified Counselors, online at www.nbcc.org, to search for certified professionals.
• Carefully review any contracts for counseling or placement services, making sure all oral promises are included, even if that means taking the contract home and having a trusted friend or relative also review the document.
• Be wary of paying upfront fees to a placement agency and be extremely cautious when giving out credit card or bank account information.
For additional information on finding a job and advice you can trust, start with
bbb.org, or call 800.729.9226.
###